Immigrant Visa Processing Updates for Nationalities at Excessive Danger of Public Advantages Utilization

President Trump has made clear that immigrants have to be financially self-sufficient and never be a monetary burden to Americans.  The Department of State is present process a full evaluation of all insurance policies, laws, and steerage to make sure that immigrants from these high-risk international locations don’t make the most of welfare within the United States or turn into a public cost.

Effective January 21, 2026, the Department of State is pausing all visa issuances to immigrant visa candidates who’re nationals of the next international locations:

Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, Antigua and Barbuda, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Barbados, Belarus, Belize, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burma, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Cuba, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Dominica, Egypt, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Fiji, The Gambia, Georgia, Ghana, Grenada, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Iran, Iraq, Jamaica, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kuwait, Kyrgyz Republic, Laos, Lebanon, Liberia, Libya, Moldova, Mongolia, Montenegro, Morocco, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Macedonia, Pakistan, Republic of the Congo, Russia, Rwanda, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan, Syria, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Uruguay, Uzbekistan, and Yemen 

Frequently Asked Questions

What occurs to my immigrant visa interview appointment?
Immigrant visa candidates who’re nationals of affected international locations might submit visa functions and attend interviews, and the Department will proceed to schedule candidates for appointments, however no immigrant visas shall be issued to those nationals throughout this pause.  

Are there any exceptions?
Dual nationals making use of with a sound passport of a rustic that isn’t listed above are exempt from this pause.  

Does this have an effect on my present legitimate visa?
No immigrant visas have been revoked as a part of this steerage.  For questions relating to admission to the United States, we refer you to DHS.

Does this apply to vacationer visas?
No, this pause is particularly for immigrant visa candidates. Tourist visas are nonimmigrant visas.